Apple has avoided NFC, and all the rumors about NFC getting added
to iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 are turned out to be false. Instead of
NFC, Apple worked on alternatives using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
During the introduction of iOS 7′s AirDrop at WWDC in June,
Apple’s mobile development chief Craig Federighi said,
“There’s no need to wander around the room, bumping your
phone,” referring how NFC phones need to be very close to
transfer the data.

iBeacon has flown a bit under the radar thus far. Could be huge combined with Touch ID.